Sophia Chen-de Vries: Barrington 220 Candidate

Name:  Sophia Chen-de Vries

Age:  43
Family:  Husband-Enno de Vries, Son-8 years old
Education: B.A. in Social Science with minor in Education and Comparative Culture, University of California, Irvine

Certificates:  Counseling and Interpersonal Skills, Teaching English as a Second Language
Occupation: Volunteer Program Manager at Home of the Sparrow
Previous Elected or Appointed Offices (please include years of service):  Trustee, Village of Tower Lakes for past 8 years

Other community involvement:  Den Leader for Cub Scouts Pack 229, Volunteer at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in the GIFT program, Serve on the Police & Public Safety Committee in Tower Lakes for past 8 years.

Campaign Facebook:  Sophia For School Board 220

1. Why are you running?

I am running for the school board because I believe very strongly in public service and in giving back to the community.  I have been a Village Trustee for the past 8 years.  After completing some major initiatives on the Village board, I feel now is the time for me to serve on the school board.  This school board will face some tough decisions ahead and my experience with balancing budgets, which were scrutinized by annual government cuts, will benefit the school board.  I have the experience needed to resolve issues and to reach a consensus on a board. 

I believe in the academic excellence of District 220.  I moved to Barrington because of the strong reputation our schools represent.  I want to expand this reputation so that Barrington attracts new families to embrace our community, which will help to stabilize and increase home values. 

As we move forward with the common core standards, our schools are providing a solid foundation to our students by teaching them strong analytical skills, creativity, and confidence through social emotional learning.  These are all skills I value in our children’s education and I believe will prepare our students for college, a career and to be competitive in a global market.

1. In what ways would the school district benefit from your service?

I feel my years serving as a Village Trustee has given me the experience of being a public servant and advocate for the community.  I have enjoyed serving my community and educating the residents on the decisions of the Village board.  I believe my role as a Trustee and balancing a budget that includes yearly cuts from the federal and state government will prepare me for some of the tough decisions the school board faces.  The key to the successful working relationship on my board has been our ability to work as a team and to show respect for one another in resolving issues and tough decisions. As an advocate for residents, I have been a good listener, as well as, a great communicator to properly represent their issues at board meetings.  Also, working for a not-for-profit agency, I am challenged each day with developing creative ways to meet the lack of funding and to keep operational cost and overhead cost at a minimum.   My creative, analytical, and interpersonal skills will be an asset to the school board team. 

1. What is the biggest challenge the school district faces and what should be done to address it?

The biggest challenge the school district faces yearly is the budget.  This next year will may be very challenging if government funds decrease and teacher pension funds shift to the local level.  Having attended school board meetings regularly since last year’s budget process, I can see that the school board has begun the process to prepare for such a shift in funding.  The school board has been conservative in their budgeting process and continued to create a balance budget for the past 17 years.  Should I join the school board, I would continue to be fiscally responsible and prepare to plan for this possible shift in funding.  I would encourage the board to begin discussions with the community, teachers, administrators, and students to explore what they all value in our education.  A difficult balance of ensuring that the best education is offered through our programs and what is needed to ensure our district stays competitive should be carefully examined.

1. What do you think the district does well?

I believe the district’s strength is always looking to ensure our students receive the best education and experience.  Our district has a strong reputation of offering academic excellence.  The strategic plan states that our district is preparing our students to “excel as future leaders in an international environment.”  The strategic plan includes two components to enhance our students’ education through Social Emotional Learning and through Technology.  These are both areas that I feel are necessary and are very important pieces of our education in our ever changing global environment and for keeping our students competitive to other front running districts.

1. What should be some of the school district’s priorities over the next four years?

The school district’s priorities should continue to be the mission of “Inspiring all learners to achieve excellence” and to be fiscally responsible.  Ensuring that our students receive the best possible education to develop their analytical skills, creativity, and confidence through social emotional learning will prepare our students to for college, a career, and to be competitive in the global market.  To maintain being fiscally responsible, the school board needs to continue open dialogs with the community, teachers, students, and administrators and ensuring that there is transparency in their budgeting process. 

1. What else would you like voters to know?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and actively participating in my son’s life and hobbies. I have served as the chair of the Youth and Social Committees in my community and as a member of the St. Anne’s Catholic church, I have volunteered by working with the children in the GIFT program.  I am also a wolf den leader for Cub Scouts Pack 229.  I have proven my leadership as a Village Board member, at my work, and as well as in my community.  I want to be involved in helping District 220 to continue to offer the best education to our students, to ensure that our schools stay ahead of other “front running” districts, and to help our home values stabilize and increase over time. 

Most importantly, my involvement in the community has given me the opportunity to hear what is important to families today.  I look forward to the challenges of being a school board member and being a liaison to the community.